WEST Cumbria could be in line for an "unprecedented boost" if an ambitious £165 million funding bid is successful.

The area's political leaders were speaking as Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) unveiled its countywide bid to the government's Growth Deal that includes cash for major business, road, rail and housing projects in Whitehaven, Workington and Lillyhall.

Mike Starkie, Copeland's mayor, said: "We are working hard towards a major regeneration of Whitehaven, and this money could be an unprecedented boost towards that, in terms of business, jobs and tourism."

While Mark Fryer, deputy leader of Allerdale Council, added that a successful bid could help realise Lillyhall's potential as "West Cumbria's premier industrial site."

In addition to upgrades of the A595 and the coastal railway, the north of Whitehaven town centre features prominently in the bid. Copeland Council and Britain's Energy Coast (BEC) have included in the bid a £11.2 million application towards the building of a new hotel on the former bus depot site and a 46-apartment block to replace the dilapidated bus station opposite. Planning applications for both were submitted by BEC to Copeland this week.

Cash would also go towards the creation of an 800-space multi-storey car park, between the harbourside and Tesco, for use by hotel guests and the general public, as well as a business development on an as-yet unnamed site.

Pat Graham, Copeland Council's managing director, added that if the money heads Whitehaven's way, it would levy another £40million into the town, and create "hundreds" of jobs.

In Workington, the cash could see more employment sites created around the port, and at the North Gateway Workington Development, employment sites would be opened up and new work space created. And at Lillyhall North, the funds would allow the development of an employment site and supply chain investment.

Mark Fryer, Allerdale's executive member responsible for economic development, said: "Lillyhall is West Cumbria's premier industrial site and the council is keen to work with all its partners locally, regionally and nationally to realise the potential of the site, given the current exciting economic climate in Allerdale.

"Cumbria is on the verge of unprecedented economic investment and Allerdale, and Lillyhall in particular, are areas which are well placed to benefit, if we push ahead hard enough.

"As a council, we're drawing up our economic growth plan, which is due to be published in the autumn, and we are already ahead of the game with our commitment to economic development through the council plan.

"Improving infrastructure in this area ad further developing Lillyhall as a strategic employment site are actions which we have been working on for some time and we look forward to driving this forward alongside the LEP and other stakeholders."

Also included in the bid is funds for the nuclear, tourism, agriculture industries; transport improvements; a skills programme and flood defence schemes. The bid is expected to be submitted by the end of July and a decision expected in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.